The Science of Happiness [Infographic]

Is there a science to happiness? Well according to this infographic, there is!

Check out the patterns, backed by science, that are linked to happy people. Apparently, married people are 10% happier than unmarried people (I’m surprised!), healthy people are 20% happier than average (this, I’m NOT surprised), Mexico kids are the happiest in the world, and sleep-deprived people tend to have a penchant for remembering negative ideas:

Click image for larger version (Infographic by Webpage FX)

While useful facts, remember that at the end of the day, happiness is a state of mind. Some people pursue happiness as a goal, when happiness is really a result of being at peace with who you are and living in alignment with your highest values and goals. The happy people reported in this infographic seems like people who are doing just that, which is why they are happy.

Meaning, you’re not going to automatically be happy just because you (a) get married, (b) migrate to Mexico, (c) discover your life purpose, or (d) eat bananas (the stats as reported in the infographic). Rather, you’re going to be unreservedly happy because you learn to find positivity in everything you do and you live in line with your values and goals, and because of this internal alignment in you, you will (a) find someone who is aligned with your values and whom you want to marry, (b) be happy no matter where you live, (c) discover your highest purpose in life, and (d) eat bananas because it makes you healthy.

If you want to achieve lasting happiness, work from the root of your emotions — your mind — while cultivating the positive habits reported in the infographic. Here are my two guides to achieve lasting happiness:

• 10 Timeless Principles To Be Happy for principles for happiness
• 10 Surefire Ways To Be Unhappy for habits to avoid being truly happy

And if you’re in a rush, here are the manifesto versions:

• The Happiness Manifesto
• The Unhappiness Manifesto